Magnesiacyclopentadienes as Alkaline‐Earth Metallacyclopentadienes: Facile Synthesis,Structural Characterization,and Synthetic Application

Metallacyclopentadienes have attracted much attention as building blocks for synthetic chemistry as well as key intermediates in many metal‐mediated or metal‐catalyzed reactions. However, metallacyclopentadienes of the alkaline‐earth metals have not been reported, to say nothing of their structures, reaction chemistry, and synthetic applications. In this work, the first series of magnesiacyclopentadienes, spiro‐dilithio magnesiacyclopentadienes, and dimagnesiabutadiene were synthesized from 1,4‐dilithio 1,3‐butadienes. Single‐crystal X‐ray structural analysis of these magnesiacycles revealed unique structural characteristics and bonding modes. Their reaction chemistry and synthetic application were preliminarily studied and efficient access to amino cyclopentadienes was established through their reaction with thioformamides. Experimental and DFT calculations demonstrated that these magnesiacyclopentadienes could be regarded as bis(Grignard) reagents wherein the two Mg C(sp²) bonds have a synergetic effect when reacting with substrates.     

Structure and Reaction Chemistry of Magnesium Organocuprates Derived from Magnesiacyclopentadienes and Copper(I) Salts

The chemistry of magnesium organocuprates, including their synthesis, structures, and reactions, remains underexplored. In this work, by taking advantage of the high reactivity and ready availability of magnesiacyclopentadienes, a series of magnesiacyclopentadiene‐based organocuprates were synthesized and structurally characterized. A variety of CuX salts (X=Cl, Br, I, or alkynyl) were successfully applied to react with magnesiacyclopentadienes. Besides CuX salts, AgX salts (X=Cl, alkynyl) also undergwent the above reaction to afford the corresponding magnesium organoargentates. Single‐crystal X‐ray structural analysis and DFT calculations of these butadienyl magnesium organocuprates revealed unique structural characteristics and bonding modes. These results are also very useful to understand the transmetalation process, since the product can be viewed as the resting‐state intermediate of a transmetalation reaction between organomagnesium compounds and coinage‐metal salts. Preliminary information on the reaction chemistry of these magnesium organocuprates is provided by their reactions with allyl bromide, benzoyl chloride, and CO₂.     

Alkaline Earth Metallocenes Coordinated with Ester Pendants: Synthesis,Structural Characterization,and Application in Metathesis Reactions

A variety of ester‐substituted cyclopentadiene derivatives have been synthesized by one‐pot reactions of 1,4‐dilithio‐1,3‐butadienes, CO, and acid chlorides. Direct deprotonation of the ester‐substituted cyclopentadienes with Ae[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ (Ae=Ca, Sr, Ba) efficiently generated members of a new class of heavier alkaline earth (Ca, Sr, Ba) metallocenes in good to excellent yields. Single‐crystal X‐ray structural analysis demonstrated that these heavier alkaline earth metallocenes incorporated two intramolecularly coordinated ester pendants and multiply‐substituted cyclopentadienyl ligands. The corresponding transition metal metallocenes, such as ferrocene derivatives and half‐sandwich cyclopentadienyl tricarbonylrhenium complexes, could be generated highly efficiently by metathesis reactions. The multiply‐substituted cyclopentadiene ligands bearing an ester pendant, and the corresponding heavier alkaline earth and transition‐metal metallocenes, may have further applications in coordination chemistry, organometallic chemistry, and organic synthesis.     

Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Butadienylcalcium‐based Heavy Grignard Reagents and a Ca4[O] Inverse Crown Ether Complex

The structure elucidation of heavy Grignard reagents (RAeX, Ae=Ca, Sr, and Ba, X=halides) has been greatly strived after, mainly because of their inaccessibility and remarkable instability. The synthesis of a series of butadienylcalcium compounds is presented, including 1‐calcio‐4‐lithio‐1,3‐butadiene, 1,4‐dicalcio‐1,3‐butadiene, and a Ca₄[O] inverse crown ether complex, via the reaction between 1,4‐dilithio‐1,3‐butadienes and calcium iodide in THF. Single‐crystal X‐ray analysis of these unprecedented heavy Grignard reagents revealed unique structural characteristics and bonding modes. Preliminary reaction chemistry was investigated. This study provides a novel class of alkenyl heavy Grignard reagents and a useful synthetic strategy for otherwise unavailable reactive organometallic compounds.     

Synthetically Important Alkali‐Metal Utility Amides: Lithium,Sodium, and Potassium Hexamethyldisilazides,Diisopropylamides, and Tetramethylpiperidides

Most synthetic chemists will have at some point utilized a sterically demanding secondary amide (R₂N^?). The three most important examples, lithium 1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexamethyldisilazide (LiHMDS), lithium diisopropylamide (LiDA), and lithium 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidide (LiTMP)—the “utility amides”—have long been indispensible particularly for lithiation (Li‐H exchange) reactions. Like organolithium compounds, they exhibit aggregation phenomena and strong Lewis acidity, and thus appear in distinct forms depending on the solvents employed. The structural chemistry of these compounds as well as their sodium and potassium congeners are described in the absence or in the presence of the most synthetically significant donor solvents tetrahydrofuran (THF) and N,N,N’,N’‐tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) or closely related solvents. Examples of hetero‐alkali‐metal amides, an increasingly important composition because of the recent escalation of interest in mixed‐metal synergic effects, are also included.     

Isolable Anion Radicals of Nitrosoarenes

Summary of main observation and conclusion The rich redox chemistry of nitrosoarenes has rendered these reactive molecules very useful in modern synthetic and material chemistry.Electrochemical studies have revealed the capability of nitrosoarenes to undergo one-electron oxidation or reduction reaction for a long time.However,the isolation and structural characterization of nitrosoarene radical compounds deviating the stabilization of transition-metal have not been achieved.Investigation on the reduction reaction of nitrosoarenes bearing steric demanding substituents has now revealed that the interaction of 2,6-dimesityl-1-nitroso-benzene(DmpNO)or 2,4,6-tri(tert-butyl)-1-nitroso-benzene(TtpNO)with KC8 and crypt-2,2,2 can produce the corresponding anion radical compound[K(crypt-2,2,2)][DmpNO](1)or[K(crypt-2,2,2)][TtpNO](2)in good isolated yield.Compounds 1 and 2 represent the first examples of isolable nitrosoarene radical compounds deviating the stabilization of transition-metal,and have been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction study,electron paramagnetic resonance(EPR)spectroscopy,and elemental analysis.Theoretical study in collaboration with the characterization data revealed that the unpaired spin in[DmpNO]·-and[TtpNO]·-delocalizes on the nitroso and the central phenyl groups.     

Dianions as Formal Oxidants: Synthesis and Characterization of Aromatic Dilithionickeloles from 1,4‐Dilithio‐1,3‐butadienes and [Ni(cod)2]

Organolithium compounds can behave as reductants but never as oxidants in redox reactions. Reported herein is that 1,4‐dilithio‐1,3‐butadienes reacted with [Ni(cod)₂] (cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene) to deliver dilithionickeloles. Single‐crystal X‐ray structural analysis revealed a coplanar structure of dilithionickeloles with an averaging of bond lengths. XPS data confirmed the oxidation state of Ni in dilithionickeloles was Ni²⁺. ⁷Li NMR spectra of dilithionickeloles and theoretical calculations revealed a considerable aromatic character. In this redox reaction, the dilithio dianionic compounds behaved as formal oxidants, thus oxidizing Ni⁰ into Ni²⁺. These results demonstrated that organolithium compounds with π‐conjugation could be used as oxidants and could continue to accept extra electrons.     

1,3‐Butadienyl Dianions as Non‐Innocent Ligands: Synthesis and Characterization of Aromatic Dilithio Rhodacycles

Herein we report that 1,4‐dilithio‐1,3‐butadienes, a type of 1,3‐butadienyl dianion, can act as non‐innocent ligands, taking electrons from low‐valent transition metals. Dilithio reagents reacted with [{RhCl(cod)}₂] to give dilithio rhodacycle 3 a . Single‐crystal X‐ray structural analysis revealed the structure of 3 a with averaged bond lengths. XPS data suggested that the oxidation state of Rh in 3 a was more likely to be Rh³⁺. CDA/ECDA confirmed the electron‐transfer process. ⁷Li NMR spectra of 3 a and theoretical calculations revealed a considerable aromatic character. In this process, the dilithio compounds behaved as non‐innocent ligands and formal oxidants. These results demonstrated that organolithium compounds with suitable π‐conjugation could be used as electron acceptor.     

Metal‐Free Synthetic Approach to 3‐Monosubstituted Unsymmetrical 1,2,4,5‐Tetrazines Useful for Bioorthogonal Reactions

A facile, efficient and metal‐free synthetic approach to 3‐monosubstituted unsymmetrical 1,2,4,5‐tetrazines is presented. Dichloromethane (DCM) is for the first time recognized as a novel reagent in the synthetic chemistry of tetrazines. Using this novel approach 11 3‐aryl/alkyl 1,2,4,5‐tetrazines were prepared in excellent yields (up to 75 %). The mechanism of this new reaction, including the role of DCM in the tetrazine ring formation, has been investigated by ¹³C labeling of DCM, and is also presented and discussed as well as the photophysical and electrochemical properties.     

Synthesis,Spectra Characterization,Electrochemical Behavior of Silyl Derivatives of Ferrocene

Ferrocenyl‐substituted silanes via the reaction between mono and dilithio‐ferrocene with trimethyl, trietheyl, vinyldimethyl or t‐butyldimethyl chlorosilanes is prepared. The electrochemical behaviors of these compounds were investigated by cyclic voltammetry. This work describes the electrochemical and electrocatalytic properties of carbon ceramic electrode (CCE) modified with ferrocene composites as a new electrocatalyst material.     

Bulky Amido Ligands in Rare Earth Chemistry — Syntheses,Structures, and Catalysis

The amido metal chemistry of the rare earth elements is a rapid developing area in coordination chemistry. Especially bulky mono and bidentate amido and amidinates have been introduced as ligands in rare earth chemistry. Due to these sterically demanding ligands, the coordination numbers of the rare earth elements are significantly reduced. This article focuses on two of these bulky ligand systems: bis(trimethylsilyl)amide and aminotroponiminates. The homoleptic bis(trimethylsilyl)amides of rare earth elements, [Ln{N(SiMe₃)₂}₃], are well established compounds in synthetic chemistry. Therefore, this article reviews recent progress in the catalytic application of these compounds. In the second part of this research report, it is shown that N, N′‐disubstituted aminotroponiminates and mono bridged bisaminotroponiminates can be used as cyclopentadienyl alternatives. Achiral and chiral aminotroponiminates have been used. The structural properties, reactivities as well as the catalytic and synthetic applications of the aminotroponiminates complexes will be outlined in this article.     

Base Metal Catalyzed Isocyanide Insertions

Isocyanides are diverse C₁ building blocks considering their potential to react with nucleophiles, electrophiles, and radicals. Therefore, perhaps not surprisingly, isocyanides are highly valuable as inputs for multicomponent reactions (MCRs) and other one‐pot cascade processes. In the field of organometallic chemistry, isocyanides typically serve as ligands for transition metals. The coordination of isocyanides to metal centers alters the electronic distribution of the isocyano moiety, and reaction pathways can therefore be accessed that are not possible in the absence of the metal. The tunable reactivity of the isocyanide functional group by transition metals has evolved into numerous useful applications. Especially palladium‐catalyzed isocyanide insertion processes have emerged as powerful reactions in the past decade. However, reports on the use of earth‐abundant and cheap base metals in these types of transformations are scarce and have received far less attention. In this Minireview, we focus on these emerging base metal catalyzed reactions and highlight their potential in synthetic organic chemistry. Although mechanistic studies are still scarce, we discuss distinct proposed catalytic cycles and categorize the literature according to 1) the (hetero)atom bound to and 2) the type of bonding with the transition metal in which the (formal) insertion occurs.     

Boron(II) Cations: Interplay between Lewis‐Pair‐Acceptor and Electron‐Donor Properties

Boron(III) cations are widely used as highly Lewis acidic reagents in synthetic chemistry. In contrast, boron(II) cations are extremely rare and their chemistry almost completely unknown. They are both Lewis acids and electron donors, properties that are commonly associated with catalytically active late‐transition‐metal complexes. This double reactivity pattern ensures a rich and diverse chemistry. Herein we report the facile synthesis of several new boron(II) cations starting with a special diborane with two easily exchangeable triflate substituents. By increasing the π‐acceptor character of the neutral σ‐donor reaction partners, first reactions were developed in which the combined Lewis acidity and electron‐donor properties of boron(II) cations are applied for the reduction of organic molecules. The results of our study pave the way for applications of these unusual compounds in synthetic chemistry.     

Synthesis of Silolide Dianions via Reduction of Dichlorosiloles: Important Role of the Solvent

The reduction of 1,1-dichloro-2,5-bistrimethylsilyl-3,4-diphenylsilole to silolide dianion by alkali metals was investigated. As previously demonstrated, the outcome of the reaction depends strongly on the applied alkali metal, solvent, reaction conditions, and substituent pattern. We showed that lithium is a powerful reducing agent in THF or DME solvents, the reaction is even faster than the same reaction with sodium. The X-ray structures of the corresponding dilithio and disodium silolide dianion were investigated, interestingly recrystallization of the dilithio salt results in a coordination polymer. In order to support the synthetic work DFT calculations were performed.     

The “Click” Reaction Involving Metal Azides,Metal Alkynes,or Both: An Exploration into Multimetal Structures

Cu^I‐catalyzed 1,3‐cycloaddition of azides and alkynes (CuAAC) is one of the most powerful synthetic methodologies known. However, its use to prepare well‐defined multimetallic structures is underdeveloped. Apart from the applications of this reaction to anchor different organometallic reagents to surfaces, polymers, and dendrimers, only isolated examples of CuAAC with metal–η¹‐alkyne and metal–azide complexes to prepare multimetal entities have been reported. This concept sketches the potential of these reactions not only to prepare “a la carte” multimetal 1,2,3‐triazole derivatives, but also to discover new and unprecedented reactions.     

Expanding the Chemistry of Cationic N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes: Alternative Synthesis,Reactivity, and Coordination Chemistry

A new synthetic route to complexes of the cationic N‐heterocyclic carbene ligand 2 has been developed by the attachment of a cationic pentamethylcyclopentadienylruthenium ([RuCp*]⁺) fragment to a metal‐coordinated benzimidazol‐2‐ylidene ligand. The coordination chemistry and the steric and electronic properties of the cationic carbene were investigated in detail by experimental and theoretical methods. X‐ray structures of three carbene–metal complexes were determined. The cationic ligand 2 is a poorer overall electron donor relative to the related neutral carbene, which is evident from cyclic voltammetry (CV) and IR measurements.     

Synthesis of 2,9‐diacyl‐1, 10‐phenanthrolines

A convenient high yield synthetic route leading to 2,9‐diacyl‐1,10‐phenanthrolines has been developed. The reaction of bis‐amide 1 with 2‐pyridyllithium, 6‐bromo‐2‐pyridyllithium or 2‐thienyllithium led to the diacyl compounds 5,6 and 7 , respectively. Attempts to prepare 8 by intramolecular coupling of 6 or by treatment of 1 with dilithio analogue 9b were unsuccessful. Treatment of 1 with butyllithium or aryllithium reagents led to 10a, 10b and 10c.     

Pesticidal and antifertility activities of triorganogermanium(IV) complexes synthesized using a green chemical approach

Microwave chemistry is a green chemical method that improves reaction conditions and product yields while reducing solvent amounts and reaction times. This paper deals with the synthesis, spectral and biological studies of germanium(IV) complexes with chelating hydrazones derived from 1‐(pyridine‐2‐yl)ethanone (F₁) and 1‐(furan‐2‐yl)ethanone (F₂) with isonicotinohydrazide (INH). The complexes have been synthesized under a microwave–green chemical approach and investigated using a combination of microanalytical analysis, melting point, IR spectra, ¹H NMR spectra and ¹³C NMR spectra. Trimethylgermanium(IV)chloride and triphenylgermanium(IV)chloride interact with the hydrazones in a 1:1 molar ratio (metal:ligand), resulting in the formation of coloured products. On the basis of conductance and spectral evidence, a pentacoordinated structure for germanium(IV) complexes has been assigned for these products. The ligand is coordinated to the germanium(IV) via the azomethine nitrogen atom and the enolic oxygen atom. The free ligands and their metal complexes have been tested in male rats in order to assess their antifertility properties. Ligands and their metal complexes have also been tested in vitro against a number of pathogenic microorganisms in order to assess their antimicrobial and pesticidal properties. Both the ligands and their complexes were found to possess appreciable antifertility activity and other activities, which have been discussed in brief. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and Bonding in Carbene Complexes of an Unsymmetrical Dilithio Methandiide: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study

Herein, we report the preparation of a new unsymmetrical, bis(thiophosphinoyl)‐substituted dilithio methandiide and its application for the synthesis of zirconium‐ and palladium‐carbene complexes. These complexes were found to exhibit remarkably shielded ¹³C NMR shifts, which are much more highfield‐shifted than those of “normal” carbene complexes. DFT calculations were performed to determine the origin of these observations and to distinguish the electronic structure of these and related carbene complexes compared with the classical Fischer and Schrock‐type complexes. Various methods show that these systems are best described as highly polarized Schrock‐type complexes, in which the metal–carbon bond possesses more electrostatic contributions than in the prototype Schrock systems, or even as “masked” methandiides. As such, geminal dianions represent a kind of “extreme” Schrock‐type ligands favoring the ionic resonance structure M⁺? CR₂^? as often used in textbooks to explain the nucleophilic nature of Schrock complexes.